PORTSMOUTH — It’s the Chinese New Year and the “Year of the Snake” will be ushered in with lanterns, dragons, Asian fine arts & crafts, Storytelling, Healing arts demonstrations, several types of TaiChi performances and an all-around good time!

This year’s event will be held on Feb. 16 at the Gateway Studio, 875 Islington St. (next to the ButtonFactory).

While the image of the Snake may conjure up more scary and slithery images in the West, this animal is viewed much differently in the East. There, the snake is often revered for its beauty, wisdom and supernatural powers, which is why it was sacred to many ancient cultures around the globe.

“If there ever was an animal that needed an image makeover, it’s the snake,” says Bruce Iverson. “People born in the “Year of the Snake”, are actually highly intelligent and always looking to use their considerable skills and spirituality. They are considered the wisest of all Chinese Horoscope signs.

The Chinese New Year is the most important of the holidays celebrated in many Asian cultures. It begins the first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar which this year falls on Feb. 10 in the western calendar and the celebration lasts for 15 days featuring ceremonies, visits with family and friends, feasting, decorations, fireworks, and, of course, trips to the marketplace!

This year’s celebration, of “The Year of the Snake,” will feature an extensive lineup of Seacoast artists, practitioners of the healing and martial arts and more. TaiChi demonstrations will include swords, fans, the short form & middle frames by Bill Buckley, Linlin Choy, Marsha Carr and Nicanor Snow. Storyteller, Ellen Secci will tell Chinese legends and folktales and in the evening, we will close with a demonstration of TomTam’s Tong Ren Healing with Victoria Anne!

So, venture out and come on over to Gateway Taiji in Portsmouth, 875 Islington St., with your family and friends on Saturday, Feb. 16, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.), to celebrate the “Chinese New Year of the Snake” with us ... and, don’t worry.....no real snakes allowed!